Europe’s largest nuclear plant loses power: Energoatom warns of disaster risks

The temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost all external electricity supply in what is now the 17th blackout since the Russian takeover, and the fifth since the beginning of 2026, Energoatom reported.

The company stated that the ZNPP completely lost connection to the external grid at 11:44 p.m. following the shutdown of the "Ferrosplavna-1" power line. Backup diesel generators kicked in to keep critical safety systems running.

According to Energoatom, the IAEA reported that the blackout was triggered by a drone strike on the "Nikopolska" substation, located across the Dnipro River from the ZNPP. The strike temporarily knocked out the sole remaining power line feeding the plant.

Energoatom emphasized that yet another blackout at Europe’s largest nuclear facility underscores the critical risks driven by the Russian occupation. Every loss of external power poses an immediate threat to nuclear and radiation safety.

The company stresses that only returning the Zaporizhzhia plant to the full control of Ukraine and its legitimate operator can guarantee safe operations and prevent a catastrophic nuclear incident.